Apparatus for treating thread and the like



y 9, 1946. K. M. MCLELLAN 2,403,819

APPARATUS FOR TREATING THREAD AND THE LIKE Filed June 30, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I WI IN I 'EN TOR. flew/v: m M. fllauu BY JWX July 9, 1946. K. M. MCLELLAN APPARATUS FOR TREATING THREAD AND THE LIKE Filed June 30, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. hENNfTH 11- HL ELLAN BY M x. M

July 9, 1946. K. M. McLELLAN APPARATUS FOR TREATING THREAD AND THE LIKE Filed June 550, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented July 9, 1946 APPARATUS FOR TREATING THREAD AND THE LIKE Kenneth M. McLellan, Cleveland, Ohio, asslgnor to Industrial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland. Ohio, a corporation oi Delaware Application June 30, 1944, Serial No. 542,964

6 Claims. 34l53) This invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for the continuous processin or treatment of material, such as rayon yarn or thread and the like; particularly, it relates to means for suitably drying yarn or thread before it is finally wound on a. package or thread store device. The invention will be described in connection with apparatus for the manufacture of viscose rayon yarn or thread by the continuous process method and constitutes an improvement of the yarndrying means shown and described in Patent No. 2,303,697 issued to R. F. Bergmann.

In a machine for producing rayon by the continuous process as described in said Bergmann patent, a plurality of threads is formed by extrusion of a viscose solution into a coagulating bath. Each thread is Withdrawn from the bath and passed to a downwardly extending series of thread-advancing. thread-storing reels on each of which it is continuously and temporarily stored in a plurality of generally helical turns. The thread is subjected to the action of a processing liquid on each of a plurality of reels, then dried on a reel and finally twisted by a cap twister and wound on a bobbin. The processing reels are arranged in banks disposed on both sides of the apparatus.

Since this invention is an improvement 01' the drying apparatus 01' the Bergmann patent, the description is primarily limited to the last reel enclosure, that is, the drying reel enclosure oi the continuous processing machine. The drying of thread or the like, particularly artificial silk thread, produced by a wet-spinning process plays a very important part in determining the final characteristics of the finished product. As an example, uniformity or lack of uniformity of the drying treatment to which the thread is subiected determines to a large extent the degree of uniformity of the physical and physiochemical characteristics of the thread. It is obviously desirable to have thread as uniformly dry as possible along its entire length.

Drying of thread continuously in a continuous proces apparatus may be effected on an open-ended reel oi. the cantilever type, as shown and described in Patent No. 2,210,912 issued in the name of W. F. Knebusch. The thread store, thread-advancing reel rotates within an enclosure where the flow of air and temperature are'controlled and where the movement of the air through the enclosure and about the reel carries oil the vapors given oil by the drying thread.

In addition. however, to the control or the sup y of air-flow through the reel enclosure, it is also important to control air-flow over the reel periphery whereon the continuously advanclug thread is dried. Such control is desirable in order that substantially all vapor given off by the drying thread on the reel periphery be carried ofl by the air stream caused to flow thereover.

This invention provides a means located in the enclosure and about the periphery of the thread store device that causes air brought into the enclosure to flow completely around the reel periphery, the vapors given off by the drying thread then being continuously exhausted. This results in substantially preventing the escape and condensation of vapor within the enclosure walls and the possibility of re-wetting the dried thread. These advantageous features will become apparent from the following description and drawings:

In the drawings,

Figure i represents a diagrammatic and a partial sectional end view of an apparatus for producing rayon by a continuous process;

Figure 2 is a cross section ofthe drying enclosure;

Figure 3 is a plan view partly in section of adjoining drying chambers taken across line A-A of Figure2;

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation taken across line 3-3 of Fisure 3;

Figures 5 and 6 are pempective views of two modifications of an adjusting device for controlling the ventilation in the drying enclosure;

Figure 'l is a perspective view 01' the reelventilating means.

In the illustrated apparatus of Figure 1, there is shown only one of two duplicate sides parthr in section of a continuous process spinning machine where viscose is extended from a spinneret it into a coagulating hath forming thread il wound on and advanced by reel I! to a series of thread-storing and advancing reels II to 20 whereon the thread is subjected to various treatments. The treatment fluids are supplied through orifice tubes 2| located immediately above the reels. Upon leaving the last reel II, the thread is guided through openings 23, 24 in the top of a ventilated enclosure 28 and of a cylindrical collar 25 (see Figures 2 and 3) in the enclosure, respectively, to a drying reel 21 upon which yam II i wound. After being dried during its advancement on the reel, the yarn is led through an opening 28 in the bottom of the enclosure, then to a guide 29, thence down to be initially twisted by a cap twister I! and wound on a bobbin or collecting package 30. Bobbin 30 is mounted on spindle 33 which is bolted to a support 34 attached to the base frame portion 35 of the spinning machine. The bobbin is rotated by belt 3| driven by any suitable driving means.

The enclosure 28 of drying reel 21 is constructed to provide for the admission of an ample volume of air to ventilate its interior. The air may be withdrawn from the enclosure 26 by means of a ventilating device having an exhaust entry positioned above the thread-drying reel. However, when the thread-processing conditions are changed so that relatively large volumes of vapor are liberated in the enclosure, it has been found that a ventilating device having an exhaust entry positioned only above the threaddrying reel was sometimes not efl'ective in satisfactorily removing the liberated vapors. By the provision in accordance with this invention, however, of a cylindrical collar 25 around the drying reel, the vapor-laden air surrounding the reel is promptly and continuously exhausted by a circulatory and scouring action.

Referring to Figures 2 through 7, the drying reel 21 is shown having thereon a number of turns of thread, advancing in helicoidal fashion to its unsupported end. Upon reaching the end of the reel, the thread is guided downwardly through an aperture 28 in the bottom of the enclosure 26 to a guide 19 (see Figure 1), then to be twisted and wound on bobbin 30. Heating fluid may be, supplied from any suitable source to the interior of reel shaft 38 which has a return conduit extending substantially into the reel.

An enclosure 26 is provided for each drying reel of the apparatus in order to aid in maintaining the desired drying conditions in the vicinity of the reel. Each enclosure has a hinged door 38 which when opened exposes the front and top of each reel for inspection thereof. Further, there may be provided a small hinged window 88 within the front of the hinged door. The window may be frictionally pivoted to permit the view of the interior of the enclosure or, if desired, to provide for additional ventilation by a partial or full opening. The top of the enclosure may have a plurality of louvers All for the provision of a continual supply of ventilating air withdrawn from the operating room in which the apparatus is installed.

Encompassing substantially the supported end of the drying reel is a flanged cylinder or collar 2| held in position by bolts 42 running through the flange and a partition 43 of the enclosure having a circular hole for the admission of the reel and fitting tightly within the walls of the enclosure. Partition 43 is attached to an angle 18 bolted to three sides of the enclosure walls. Substantially immediately back of the collar 25 and in the bottom of enclosure 26 is an opening it for exhausting or ventilating the enclosure. The exhausted air is carried on through conduit ill (see Figure 1). Due to a maintained vacuum in the exhausting system, there will be a movement of air drawn from the operating room through the louvers, about and concentrically of the reel, then into the exhaust opening and into conduit III. Thus. as vapors rise from the moist portion of the reel, they will be immediately and continually withdrawn.

The amount of air going through the enclosure naturally regulates the ventilation and temperature within the enclosure and this amount can be effectively controlled by adjusting-the size of the exhaust opening, Such adjusting means are illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. In the illustration, the ventilation-controlling means it comprises a flat and substantially rectangular piece of metal having a circular opening at one end or several smaller openings, the total area being substantially that of exhaust opening It in the bottom of enclosure 2}. Guides 41 are positioned on each side of the adjustable orifice 45 to direct its longitudinal movement and to frictionally hold it in position when a desirable opening has been determined,

For convenience. the end of the orifice plate ll may be curled, as shown at ll, to provide a section that may be readily grasped to facilitate its movement.

During the operation of the apparatus, air is drawn into the enclosure by negative pressure through the louvers and/or through the opening 39 within the front of the enclosure. The air then flows about the reel 21 which gives off the vapors. Further, the air between the reel surface and the collar is forced into a following circulatory motion for part of the distance around and acts as a scrubbing agent until it is drawn into the exhaust conduit. Thus, as the vapor rises, it is at once absorbed by a current of air to be carried away and exhausted.

The cylinder or collar 2! has a longitudinal slot 24 in its circumference extending from its front to a point where the thread is to be drawn or led through to the reel. This slot will permit the handling of the thread and yet it will not be large enough to disturb the normal movement of the air currents within the cylinder. Also. if the cylinder is made of a light material, as aluminum, it will be desirable to have its front lill curled back as shown in Figure 7 to provide additional strength, and also to prevent the catching of yarn in the event of breakage and accumulation of it on the reel. Of course, if the cylinder wall is of a substantial thickness, the edge need only be finished of! in a rounded manner,

I claim:

1. Apparatus for the processing of thread comprising a. thread-advancing, thread-store device which continuously but temporarily stores thread and advances it lengthwise thereof in a plurality of generally helical turns; an enclosure for said thread-store device; an opening in said enclosure for admitting thread to said thread-store device; means for performing a processing step on the thread giving rise to vapor; inlet means in said enclosure independent of said opening for admitting air into the interior of said enclosure; outlet means in said enclosure for exhausting air from said enclosure; and means disposed within said enclosure and circumferentially spaced about the thread-store device, said means being adapted to direct the flow of air from said inlet means over the periphery of said thread store device and to said outlet means thereby withdrawing said vapor from the vicinity of said thread-store device.

2. An apparatus of the character described in claim 1 in which the circumi'erentially spaced means about the thread-store device encloses one end of said thread-store device.

3. An apparatus of the character described in claim 1 in which the eircumferentially spaced means about the thread-store device comprises a cylinder positioned adjacent one end of said thread-store-device.

4. An apparatus of the character described in 5 claim 1 in which the circumterentially spaced means about the thread-store device comprises an open-ended cylinder permitting the flow of air therethrough and about the thread-store device.

5. An apparatus of the character described in claim 1 in which said outlet means for exhaustin: air from the thread-stcre-enclosure device is positioned in the bottom of said enclosure and substantially adjacent the means circumferentially spaced about the thread-store device.

6. Apparatus for the processing of thread comprising a thread-advancing, thread-store device which continuously but temporarily stores thread and advances it lengthwise thereof in a plurality of generally helical turns; an enclosure for said thread-store device; an opening in said enclosure 6 for admitting thread to said thread-store device; means for performing a processing step on the thread giving rise to vapor: inlet means in said enclosure independent or said opening for ad mitting air into the interior or said enclosure: outlet means in said enclosure for exhausting air from said enclosure; a partition in said enclosure separating said air inlet from said outlet means having a circular opening for said thread-store device, and an open-ended cylinder attached to said partition aligned with said opening and cir- KENNETH M. MCLEILAN.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,403,819.

July 9, 1940.

KENNETH M. McLELLAN It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 2, line 40, for the word extended read extruded; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Signed and sealed this 1st day of October, A. D. 1946.

LESLIE FRAZER,

First Assistant Gammissioner of Patents.

5 claim 1 in which the circumterentially spaced means about the thread-store device comprises an open-ended cylinder permitting the flow of air therethrough and about the thread-store device.

5. An apparatus of the character described in claim 1 in which said outlet means for exhaustin: air from the thread-stcre-enclosure device is positioned in the bottom of said enclosure and substantially adjacent the means circumferentially spaced about the thread-store device.

6. Apparatus for the processing of thread comprising a thread-advancing, thread-store device which continuously but temporarily stores thread and advances it lengthwise thereof in a plurality of generally helical turns; an enclosure for said thread-store device; an opening in said enclosure 6 for admitting thread to said thread-store device; means for performing a processing step on the thread giving rise to vapor: inlet means in said enclosure independent or said opening for ad mitting air into the interior or said enclosure: outlet means in said enclosure for exhausting air from said enclosure; a partition in said enclosure separating said air inlet from said outlet means having a circular opening for said thread-store device, and an open-ended cylinder attached to said partition aligned with said opening and cir- Certificate of Patent No. 2,403,819.

KENNETH M.

cumierentially spaced about said thread-store device, the air from said inlet means flowing through said cylinder about the thread-store device periphery and thence to said outlet means.

KENNETH M. MCLEILAN.

Correction July 9, 1940. McLELLAN It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 2, line 40, for the word extended read extruded; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Signed and sealed this 1st day of October, A. D. 1946.

LESLIE FRAZER,

First Assistant Gammissioner of Patents. 

